Learn what will happen during the tribulation period from beginning to end

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January 17, 2006

Israel´s Jewish Population Surpasses United States
For the first time, Israel has more Jews than the US, according to Hebrew University Prof. Sergio Della Pergola. Tel Aviv has also overtaken New York as the city with the largest Jewish population.

Russia, China Want Talks Not Sanctions On Iran
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and China made clear on Tuesday they did not favor UN sanctions to induce Iran to scale back its nuclear program, advocating more negotiations.

Olmert: We Can't Allow A Foe Like Iran To Hold WMDs
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that Israel could not reconcile itself to the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Speaking to a joint news conference with President Moshe Katsav, Olmert said in response to a question over Iran:

Record-Low Temperatures Across Siberia......
Two people died of exposure and 14 more were hospitalized in a single day as temperatures plunged in the Russian capital, city emergency medical authorities said Tuesday. Temperatures dropped from about freezing Monday afternoon to minus-28 Celsius (minus-18 Fahrenheit) overnight as a cold wave hit after inflicting record-low temperatures across Siberia.

Under the Rockets' Red Glare
Rockets are again falling on Israeli towns and lands. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say rockets are still falling. Either way, we are once again in the relatively unique position of being targeted by our enemies while expected to simply sit back and do nothing. No other nation in the world would accept the absurd status of regular mortars and rockets being fired at its citizens, of having soldiers regularly targeted by gunmen, motorists regularly stoned, while the world demanded it limit its response.

Israeli Troops Prepare To Kick Out Jews
Hundreds of soldiers amassing to forcibly remove 11 Hebron families.

Comments

Question
Hello, I was just wondering if there’s any chance that we might be in the early stages of the tribulation now with all the weather problems, famines, wars, rumors of wars (Iran is next they are saying), which may lead to WWIII or Armageddon. Because Russia is guarding the nuclear plants with their elite forces and anti-aircraft missiles and will probably take any attacks as an act of war on them, due to their love and need for money. The US is discussing a complete invasion and bombing and Israel is talking of bombing 10 or more sites by March 06. Does the antichrist really have to be exposed prior to all this and after the rapture? Could we all be deceived by satan so as not to be ready, he is the father of all liars and the deceiver as we know?? Thanks for any input.

Answer
I will address each question separately. 

1.  Are we in the early stages of the tribulation period?  

The answer is no!  You should also take a look at Question# 45: Are We Living In The Tribulation Period?  The tribulation period will begin when the antichrist signs a seven-year peace accord with Israel.  There will probably be a host of other countries involved as well.  Daniel 9:27a states "and he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week".  So I take this to mean that there will be a large-scale peace agreement that will include Israel.  

Some believe it will be the upcoming ENPI agreement that is slated to begin in 2007 and run through 2013.  This is a seven-year agreement with many and does include Israel.  But truthfully, anything can happen and this seven-year E.U. budget term could be nothing more than that.  

I believe that the antichrist will be a legitimate world leader and right now the E.U. does not have one.  I also think we are still unaware of who the antichrist is and won't know until after the tribulation period begins.  II Thessalonians 2:3 says, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition".  I believe this scripture is saying that the antichrist won't be revealed until after the falling away which I believe to be the rapture.  But it should be understood that the rapture could happen at anytime.  

Following the rapture the world will change dramatically.  satan will then put what he believes is his plan into full swing.  This is further explained in the next question. 

2.  Does the antichrist really have to be exposed after the rapture? Is it possible that we could all be deceived by satan so not to be ready?  After all, he is the father of all lies and is a deceiver. 

Certainly, satan is a liar and a deceiver but the Lord has already made it plain in scripture that we (Christians) are not deceived or in darkness regarding the last days.  Take a look at I Thessalonians 5:1-8: 

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming". 

After the rapture occurs, the Bible says that a restraining power will be removed. What is this restraining power? I believe this Restrainer is the Holy Spirit who resides in the heart of every Christian. When true believers are taken from the earth the Holy Spirit will stop holding back the door and allow satan to proceed with his plans. This is also when the man of sin will be revealed, better known as the antichrist. Without the removing of the Restrainer the antichrist could not come on the scene.

satan may have a person already picked out or he may just pick someone.  He may already be grooming someone for the job, but it’s not because he knows the future.  satan may be preparing for what he believes is his future but only God knows the future.   

When the rapture occurs, there will be great shock around the world.  Many believe that a great deception will have to follow the rapture for the world to go on.  Something such as an UFO abduction will have to be used by satan to explain away the millions that will suddenly disappear.  But truthfully, I don’t believe God cares what the world thinks nor will He try to deceive them.  This event will happen, it will cause shock as 911 did, and the world will get over it in time.  How much time I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter, whatever God has planned will go on as scheduled. 

Of course, many of you who are reading this are thinking, "What in the world is he talking about!  Isn't satan and God about ready to go head to head in the war of wars?"  As far as satan is concerned he has determined that now is the right time for him to institute his plan.  satan fully believes that he is about to surprise God with the introduction of his earthly kingdom.  Unfortunately for satan, God knew his plans before the world was formed.  

So what am I saying?  I'm saying that we don't understand the mind of God, but we do know this, you can't outsmart God.  God simply looked into the future or manipulated satan into doing His will (in His time) or anyone of a thousand combinations.  satan will act and respond according to the will of God and will only understand what he is allowed to understand.  Simply put, he can't understand his next thought unless the Lord grants him that knowledge.

I have had many ask me the question, "Don't you think satan has the ability to read the Bible or to look at prophecy websites such as your own?"  Not unless God grants him the wisdom and the ability to do so.  What many seem to overlook is satan is a created being, an angel, that does not have full knowledge nor does he know the future.  Take a look at I Peter 1:12 which is talking about salvation.

"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

This verse explains that angels desire to look into salvation but have not been granted the ability to do so.  They long to know more but God has hidden it from them.  According to this verse they are still in the dark to this day.  Yes, demons do know that they are appointed for judgment someday, but when, they are unsure of (Matthew 8:29).

I believe that satan is about to unveil his master plan not knowing God has His own plan in the works.  About the time satan presents his unholy trinity God will rapture the church.  As I said, I believe the rapture will completely take satan by surprise, but he will also realize that his enemy (the Holy Spirit) is no longer opposing him.  He will finally be free to do his will...he thinks.  

His first concern will be to develop his kingdom.  Although the world will initially be in hysteria, satan will quickly restore calm with one of his many lies.  Without the hand of God and protecting power of the Holy Spirit the world will be no match and will fall prey to the deceptions of satan.  This world will quickly fall deep into apostasy and back to normal.

“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not, your time is running out!

Pastor Malone